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Computing
Computing Purpose of Study and Intent
Our computing curriculum is designed to equip our pupils with the knowledge, creative thinking and understanding they need to understand and change the world. We ensure that children have the skills and knowledge to be able to live and thrive in our ever expanding technological world. Our pupils learn to be digitally literate by learning how to use a variety of computer software products, coding and programming systems and platforms that may support them and develop skills they will use in their future lives and professions. Our curriculum also ensures that children are aware of how to use technology responsibly and safely in order to keep themselves and others safe online.
Kapow Primary’s Computing scheme aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers to, create, manage, organise, and collaborate.
Tinkering’ with software and programs forms a part of the ethos of the scheme as we want to develop pupils’ confidence when encountering new technology, which is a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also to be responsible online citizens.
Our scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment targets outlined in the National curriculum and the aims align with those in the National curriculum. Used in conjunction with Kapow’s RSE & PSHE scheme, our Computing scheme of work also satisfies all the objectives of the DfE’s Education for a Connected World framework. This guidance was created to help equip children for life in the digital world, including developing their understanding of appropriate online behaviour, copyright issues, being discerning consumers of online information and healthy use of technology.
The National Curriculum for Computing states:
The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems, and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world’.
The Kapow Computing scheme of work is designed with three strands which run throughout:
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Digital literacy
Our curriculum shows which of our units cover each of the national curriculum attainment targets as well as each of these three strands and can be found here: Curriculum-Computing.pdf
Our progression document shows the skills that are taught within each year group and how these skills and knowledge develop year on year to ensure attainment targets are securely met by the end of each key stage. This can be found here: Progression-of-Knowledge-and-Skills-Computing.pdf
The Kapow Primary scheme is organised into five key areas, creating a cyclical route through which pupils can develop their computing knowledge and skills by revisiting and building on previous learning:
Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as unplugged and digital activities. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.
Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust computing curriculum. Each of our units of lessons include teacher videos to develop subject knowledge and support ongoing CPD. Further CPD opportunities are available to staff through webinars supporting teachers to feel confident delivering the computing curriculum - every effort has been made to ensure that they feel supported to deliver lessons of a high standard that ensure pupil progression.
Impact:
Pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be active participants in the ever-increasing digital world.
Children will:
- Be critical thinkers and able to understand how to make informed and appropriate digital choices in the future.
- Understand the importance that computing will have going forward in both their educational and working life and in their social and personal futures.
- Understand how to balance time spent on technology and time spent away from it in a healthy and appropriate manner.
- Understand that technology helps to showcase their ideas and creativity. They will know that different types of software and hardware can help them achieve a broad variety of artistic and practical aims.
- Show a clear progression of technical skills across all areas of the National curriculum - computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
- Be able to use technology both individually and as part of a collaborative team.
- Be aware of online safety issues and protocols and be able to deal with any problems in a responsible and appropriate manner.
- Have an awareness of developments in technology and have an idea of how current technologies work and relate to one another.
- Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Computing.
Online Safety support for Children and Families
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
